THE WILSON GAZETTE

Gazette Cover Story

 

 

Reflections on PARCC

By Jen Crisafulli, Staff Writer

 

 

 

This year, Wilson Middle School and many other schools across Massachusetts are using the PARCC test for the first time as an alternative to the MCAS test. After completing the first year of PARCC testing, many students believe that the PARCC test is more difficult, while some have enjoyed the PARCC experience.

 

Preparation

 

Many of the staff members at the Wilson have been helping to prepare their students for this new test. Teachers have been assigning practice packets and sheets. Ms. Metsky, a sixth grade Ancient Civiliations teacher said, ”During the extra time the students have, we try to give them practice tests to help them prepare.”

 

The complaint of some students is that the teachers have not given them practice tests using technology. This would be useful because the actual test is taken on tablets with keyboards, Chromebooks, or on computers. Some students have been practicing at home using technology because they did not do this in school. These students have been using sites like http://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests/. This site lets you do the practice tests online. You can chose Language Arts or Math and practice at your convenience. 

 

 

Testing

 

The PARCC test has finally been completed by all the grades here at Wilson Middle School. Many students who took the test said that it was harder than MCAS, and that it would have been better on paper. The technology was very difficult to deal with for the students and staff members. First off, the test had many codes such as usernames and passwords. If you didn't correctly insert those codes, you had to start over and re-enter the codes. Also, if you had a bad tablet, it kicked you out of the test, and many times, it erased your last answer.

 

Ms. Mattison, a sixth grade Language and Literacy teacher, said, “The technology was really bad. If you type too much your computer may freeze and work may be erased.”

 

This was a problem with multiple students including myself.  The amount of time given on the test was difficult as well. Some students didn’t get to finish. A six grade student said, “There was not enough time for me to finish without rushing.” The timing forced students to rush.

 

The only thing students liked was that they could type, which takes less time than writing. Overall, the PARCC test was not liked by many students.

 

 

Next Year

 

Next year at Wilson, we will most likely be doing the PARCC test again. The people who created the test will try to fix the glitches in the test. Now that we have done the test, teachers will know how to improve their ways of preparing students. The students will also be able to get ready for the test more than this year. Everyone is hoping for a smoother experience during round two!